What is wisdom?
Christ is our wisdom
But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God’s holy people and are set free. 1 Corinthians 1:30 GNBUK
As for us, we proclaim the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and nonsense to the Gentiles; but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 GNBUK
“I am Wisdom, I am better than jewels; nothing you want can compare with me.” Proverbs 8:11 GNBUK
“I am Wisdom, and I have insight; I have knowledge and sound judgement.” Proverbs 8:12 GNBUK
Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Reason is making herself heard. Proverbs 8:1 GNBUK
Wisdom has built her house and made seven pillars for it. Proverbs 9:1 GNBUK
Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 GNBUK
How to obtain wisdom
To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding. Proverbs 9:10 GNBUK
To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the LORD. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. Proverbs 1:7 GNBUK
Pay attention to what your father and mother tell you, my child. Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance. Proverbs 1:8-9 GNBUK
But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1:5 GNBUK
It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 GNBUK
Give me wisdom and knowledge, because I trust in your commands. Psalms 119:66 GNBUK
Where can we find wisdom?
But where can wisdom be found? Where can we learn to understand? Job 28:12 GNBUK
Ask the creatures of earth and sea for their wisdom. Job 12:8 GNBUK
We learnt our wisdom from grey-haired people — those born before your father. Job 15:10 GNBUK
Look for a moment at ancient wisdom; consider the truths our ancestors learnt. Job 8:8 GNBUK
Wisdom is not to be found among mortals; No one knows its true value. Job 28:13 GNBUK
But it is the Spirit of Almighty God that comes to human beings and gives them wisdom. Job 32:8 GNBUK
Old people have wisdom, but God has wisdom and power. Old people have insight; God has insight and power to act. Job 12:12-13 GNBUK
God alone knows the way, knows the place where wisdom is found. Job 28:23 GNBUK
All the angels stood round the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. Then they threw themselves face downwards in front of the throne and worshipped God, saying, “Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!” Revelation 7:12 GNBUK
Great and mighty is our Lord; his wisdom cannot be measured. Psalms 147:5 GNBUK
The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. 1 Corinthians 12:8 GNBUK
The explanation of your teachings gives light and brings wisdom to the ignorant. Psalms 119:130 GNBUK
God’s wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept it. Luke 7:35 GNBUK
He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3 GNBUK
He controls the times and the seasons; he makes and unmakes kings; it is he who gives wisdom and understanding. Daniel 2:21 GNBUK
He takes away the wisdom of rulers and makes leaders act like fools. Job 12:17 GNBUK
For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 GNBUK
For what seems to be God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and what seems to be God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. 1Corinthians 1:25 GNBUK
Yet I do proclaim a message of wisdom to those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world or to the powers that rule this world — powers that are losing their power. 1 Corinthians 2:6 GNBUK
The wisdom I proclaim is God’s hidden wisdom, which he had already chosen for our glory even before the world was made. 1 Corinthians 2:7 GNBUK
“And my teaching and message were not delivered with skilful words of human wisdom, but with convincing proof of the power of God’s Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:4 GNBUK
Godly wisdom vs Human wisdom
But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. James 3:17 GNBUK
But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don’t sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. James 3:14-15 GNBUK
Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Proverbs 3:5 GNBUK
Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice. Proverbs 12:15 GNBUK
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like ignorant people, but likewise people. Ephesians 5:15 GNBUK
The scripture says: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the understanding of the scholars. 1 Corinthians 1:19 GNBUK
“I realised another thing, that in this world fast runners do not always win the race, and the brave do not always win the battle. The wise do not always earn a living, intelligent people do not always get rich, and capable people do not always rise to high positions. Bad luck happens to everyone.” Ecclesiastes 9:11 GNBUK
Human wisdom, brilliance, insight — they are of no help if the LORD is against you. Proverbs 21:30 GNBUK
Wisdom is in every thought of intelligent people; fools know nothing about wisdom. Proverbs 14:33 GNBUK
The Value and Benefits of Wisdom
The finest topaz and the purest gold cannot compare with the value of wisdom. Job 28:19 GNBUK
“You may be sure that wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future.” Proverbs 24:14 GNBUK
Wisdom will add years to your life. Proverbs 9:11 GNBUK
Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honour. Proverbs 3:16 GNBUK
Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honour. Proverbs 4:8 GNBUK
Wisdom does more for a person than ten rulers can do for a city. Ecclesiastes 7:19 GNBUK
Your wisdom and skill made you rich with treasures of gold and silver. Ezekiel 28:4 GNBUK
Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favor with God and people. Luke 2:52 GNBUK
The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God’s blessings were upon him. Luke 2:40 GNBUK
He was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a great man in words and deeds. Acts 7:22 GNBUK
Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern. Proverbs 1:32 GNBUK
You can be ruined by the talk of godless people, but the wisdom of the righteous can save you. Proverbs 11:9 GNBUK
Wisdom is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time. Proverbs 16:22 GNBUK
Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense — these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell. Proverbs 23:23 GNBUK
Everyone who lives ought to be wise; it is as good as receiving an inheritance and will give you as much security as money can. Wisdom keeps you safe — this is the advantage of knowledge. Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 GNBUK
Oh, I know, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.” Ecclesiastes 2:13 GNBUK
Only the wise know what things really mean. Wisdom makes them smile and makes their frowns disappear. Ecclesiastes 8:1 GNBUK
Dead flies can make a whole bottle of perfume stink, and a little stupidity can cancel out the greatest wisdom. Ecclesiastes 10:1 GNBUK
I will give you rulers who obey me, and they will rule you with wisdom and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15 GNBUK
“Now you should choose some man with wisdom and insight and put him in charge of the country.” Genesis 41:33 GNBUK
“My thoughts will be clear; I will speak words of wisdom.” Psalms 49:3 GNBUK
Wisdom does more good than weapons, but one sinner can undo a lot of good. Ecclesiastes 9:18 GNBUK
What to do with wisdom
Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 24:3 GNBUK
Homes are made by the wisdom of women, but are destroyed by foolishness. Proverbs 14:1 GNBUK
And may the LORD your God give you insight and wisdom so that you may govern Israel according to his Law. 1 Chronicles 22:12 GNBUK
Hold on to your wisdom and insight, my child. Never let them get away from you. Proverbs 3:21 GNBUK
Treat wisdom as your sister, and insight as your closest friend. Proverbs 7:4 GNBUK
The world does not recognize the value of wisdom
Jews want miracles for proof, and Greeks look for wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:22 GNBUK
There is something else I saw, a good example of how wisdom is regarded in this world. There was a little town without many people in it. A powerful king attacked it. He surrounded it and prepared to break through the walls. Someone lived there who was poor, but so clever that he could have saved the town. But no one thought about him. Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 GNBUK
“I have always said that wisdom is better than strength, but no one thinks of the poor as wise or pays attention to what they say.” Ecclesiastes 9:16 GNBUK
Characteristics of the wise
It is better to listen to the quite words of a wise person than to the shouts of a ruler at a council of fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17 GNBUK
She speaks with a gentle wisdom. Proverbs 31:26 GNBUK
Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. Psalms 51:6 GNBUK
It is foolish to enjoy doing wrong. Intelligent people take pleasure in wisdom. Proverbs 10:23 GNBUK
Evidence of Godly wisdom
But the Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom that when he spoke, they could not refute him. Acts 6:10 GNBUK
The king said to Joseph, “God has shown you all this, so it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. Genesis 41:39 GNBUK
“Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, and now you have let me succeed him as king. O LORD God, fulfil the promise you made to my father. You have made me king over a people who are so many that they cannot be counted, so give me the wisdom and knowledge I need to rule over them. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?” 2 Chronicles 1:10 GNBUK
I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. 1 Kings 3:12 GNBUK
God gave Solomon unusual wisdom and insight, and knowledge too great to be measured. 1 Kings 4:29 GNBUK
Kings all over the world heard of his wisdom and sent people to listen to him. 1 Kings 4:34 GNBUK
They all consulted him, to hear the wisdom that God had given him. 2 Chronicles 9:23 GNBUK
And the whole world wanted to come and listen to the wisdom that God had given him. 1 Kings 10:24 GNBUK
The Queen of Sheba heard Solomon’s wisdom and saw the palace he had built. She saw the food that was served at his table, the living quarters for his officials, the organisation of his palace staff and the uniforms they wore, the servants who waited on him at feasts, and the sacrifices he offered in the temple. It left her breathless and amazed. She said to King Solomon, “What I heard in my own country about you and your wisdom is true! 1 Kings 10:4-6 GNB
“This will be your chance to tell the good news. Make up your minds beforehand not to worry about how you will defend yourselves, because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.” Luke 21:15 GNB
How God displays his wisdom
“And of making all people see how God’s secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, In order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.” Ephesians 3:10 GNB
